AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): During a visit to Iraq on Wednesday, Marine General Frank McKenzie, the US Central Command Commander, confirmed the US military personnel would be reduced from 5,200 to 3,000 by the end of September.
The force reduction is due to “the great progress the Iraqi forces have made and in consultation and coordination with the government of Iraq and our coalition partners,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie said the decision is due to the United States’ “confidence in the Iraqi Security Forces’ increased ability to operate independently.”
The top US general in West Asia claimed that the reduced size of military presence in Iraq would still be able to “advise” and “assist” Iraqi forces in rooting out the remnants of the Daesh terror group in the country.
Spokesman for the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC), Major General Tahseen al-Khafaji said on Wednesday that the US decision came within an agreed timetable between the Iraqi government and Washington.
In August, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi visited the US for talks on the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq.
Germany also announced that it would reduce the number of troops it has in the Arab country.
“Even during the coronavirus pandemic, Daesh continues to carry out its terrorist activities. The military pressure on the Daesh must be maintained,” said German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer on Wednesday.
Germany has about 415 soldiers in the US-led coalition purportedly fighting the Takfiri terrorist group of Daesh. About 120 of them are stationed in Iraq.
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